No Historical Pests To Join In Move

The Society Wants No Rats Or Roaches To Move With Its Artifacts To The Renovated Courthouse.

April 27, 1997|By Jerry Fallstrom of The Sentinel Staff

TAVARES — The building that houses the Lake County Historical Society is being fumigated to make sure no pests accompany the society's move of artifacts to the renovated historic courthouse across the street.

A big yellow fumigation tent was draped Friday over the building at 402 W. Main St. and will remain until Monday, said Doug Conway, capital projects manager for the county.

Workers are putting the finishing touches on the redo of the 73-year-old historic courthouse. The property appraiser and tax collector's offices are expected to begin moving into the building in mid-May, with the historical society to follow.

The society's museum will be housed on the first floor of the historic courthouse.

Before the move, county officials want to eradicate rats, roaches and ''anything else that might be in that building that might be undesirable,'' Conway said. ''We don't want to bring any critters or rodents with us in that move.''

The fumigation, which will cost about $1,100, is due to be completed by Monday. After the move, the 3,000-square-foot building housing the historical society will be razed. The site will be used for stormwater retention ponds and green space.